PRESENTATION

The Lifelong Learning Programme Erasmus permits students to spend a period of studying and learning at European Universities with whom exchange agreements have been established, allowing to enjoy various educational experiences as well as experiences in personal growth.

Favouring the mobility of the students simplifies the recognition of titles at a European level and promotes the constant exchange of knowledge, with the intention of preparing the students for their integration in the labour market as best as possible.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

The Escola Superior de Conservació i Restauració de Béns Culturals de Catalunya ESCRBCC is a public center of the Department of Education of the Government of Catalonia.

Created in 1991, the school offers Higher Studies in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

The ESCRBCC offers an extended Erasmus modality, which allows the students the mobility for studies as well as apprenticeships and the teachers for teaching exchanges.

The ESCRBCC is member of several associations related to Conservation and Restoration, such as:
- ACESEA. Spanish Association of Institutes of Higher Artistic Education.
- AFEDA. Association for the Promotion of the Binding of Art.
- A-RSF. Restorers without Borders.
- CRAC. Associated conservators-restorers of Catalonia.
- Grupo Español IIC. Spanish Group of Conservation. International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

Since 13 years, the ESCRBCC publishes the Conservation and Restoration magazine UNICUM, with direct participation of the students in its editing and publication, being a useful platform for alumni to publish the professional projects they have realized. http://unicum.cat/en

The ESCRBCC is organized in five areas.

• Area of common courses, made up by the teachers of first and second year courses. 
• Area of Conservation and Restoration, made up by the teachers of practical and theoretical courses in conservation and restoration or related to those. 
• Area of Humanities, made up by the teachers of theoretical courses of a historical or humanistic nature.
• Area of Plastic Arts, made up by the teachers of courses in plastic arts.
• Area of Science and Technology, taking care of the maintenance of the laboratories and giving scientific and technological support to the workshops. Area made up by the teachers of courses related to biology, physics, chemistry, computer science and photography.

Facilities and services

- 10 laboratories of conservation-restoration, equipped with the tools and materials suited to each specialization.
 - 2 laboratories of biology, physics and chemistry.
- 6 classrooms for plastic arts.
- 1 classroom for computer science.
- 4 theoretical classrooms.
- 1 classroom for photography.
- 1 hall for events.
- 1 secretariat, to effect registration services, academic and administrative procedures, student and library cards, management of the lockers.
- Library, specialized in conservation-restoration topics, with more than 5.200 books and 2.800 magazines.
- Cafeteria.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The professional profile of conservator-restorer of cultural heritage is one of a highly qualified technical expert to plan and execute conservation and restoration treatments and to edit and lead projects. He/she will also be able to manage collections and heritage, to take responsibility of preventive conservation, to provide technical advice on aspects of his/her specialization and to do research and teaching.

The conservator-restorer must therefore be a competent, responsible, schooled and skilled professional, aware of ethical commitment to society, because the preservation of cultural heritage will depend on his/her good judgment and accurate actions.

STUDY PROGRAM AND DURATION

The training provided by the teachings of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage is divided in a basic training ensuring the acquisition of interdisciplinary skills and knowledge, necessary to act with responsibility for cultural property in general and a specialized training focussed on the cultural property of each of the six expected specializations.

These studies seek a balance between theoretical knowledge, the development of technical skills and the necessary sensibility to realize conservation and restoration treatments, and the control of scientific methodology and new technologies.

The training provided by the teachings of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage is divided in four years and a total of 240 ECTS credits (60 ECTS credits per year).

The first two years have a common syllabus of general basic training.
The third and fourth year are specialization years with a specific training focussed on the cultural property of each of the six expected specializations.

All courses are set in the proposal of the European Higher Education Area, and therefore the measure unity of the academic results are the so called European ECTS credits.

Most of the courses are bi-annual, but the ones related to the practise of conservation-restoration are annual.
Evaluation is continuous.
There are two examination periods: one in January and one in June.

Timetable is from 8h00 till 15h00, Monday to Friday.

SPECIALIZATIONS

Conservation and Restoration of Archaeological Objects
Conservation and Restoration of Graphic Documents
Conservation and Restoration of Sculptures
Conservation and Restoration of Paintings

The study plan includes theoretical and practical training: courses of basic training, obligatory and optional courses, seminars, internships, supervised work and other training activities.

The studies will be completed with the realization of an external internship and the creation and presentation of a final degree project.

Click here to see the complete course syllabus pdf

ACADEMIC GRADING SCALE SYSTEM

Academic grade scale system for the validation of marks in pdf format.

LANGUAGE POLICY

The ESCRBCC teaching plan is fully developed and in use (with courses, credits and distribution).

The employed language of teaching is Catalan and some courses are in Spanish. The knowledge of other languages is promoted by using complementary materials (books, articles, attendance at international conferences, etc.).

In case of hosting foreign students for a limited period, it is foreseen to attend them in Spanish, if they prefer.

The ESCRBCC offers the incoming mobile participants detailed and updated information on the Catalan and Spanish courses, programmed each year by the Official Language School (EOI) of Barcelona.

The school provides information on the free Catalan courses, offered by the Consortium for Language Normalization (CNL) of the Government of Catalonia throughout the year.

The ESCRBCC has a tandem language learning protocol with their students for the incoming students.

It is foreseen to recognize these studies as credits in the Learning Agreement, according to the attended number of hours.

How can I improve my language skills?

Erasmus Students are reminded that classes are taught in Castilian and Catalan. However there are some professors who can speak English and can help the student in this language. It is advisable before choosing the subjects know their language facilities, if you have not enough proficiency in the language of the country.

The school does not have programs of language; however we can recommend some schools.
If you want to improve your language to be skills are recommended to do an inscription in a formal course in Spanish:
http://www.eoibd.cat/es/

if you want to improve your knowledge of Catalan is recommended to do an inscription in Catalan. 
THESE COURSES ARE FREE:
http://www.cpnl.cat/cursos-catala/

APPLICATION FORM – INCOMING STUDENTS

ESCRBCC exchange programs with partner institutes in Europe are channelled through the EU’s ERASMUS+ higher education program. Students from Partner institutions may apply to study with us for one or two semesters.
Extensions from summer to the following winter semesters are not possible.

Application Periods and Deadlines:
For the entire academic year (September 15 - June 15), Deadline: May 15th
For Winter Semester (September 15 - January 15), Deadline: May 15th
 For Spring Semester (February 01 - June 15), Deadline: November 15th

Steps for Applying:

• First apply via your home institution.
• If you have been selected to participate in an ERASMUS+ program, your home institution must nominate you officially.
• Submit your application, consisting of:

- Application Form:Click here to see the complete application form pdf
- Digital portfolio (samples of work).
- Academic and professional Curriculum Vitae with contact information.
- Brief letter of motivation.

Your application must submit in time to the following address:
Escola Superior de Conservació i Restauració de Béns Culturals de Catalunya (ESCRBCC).

Department of International Mobility
Lídia Balust
C/ Aiguablava 109-113, 08033- BARCELONA
lbalust@xtec.cat
We recommend applicants have at least a basic knowledge of the Spanish language (B1), mainly for the most theoretical subjects. Knowledge of Catalan is also appreciated.
Admission depends on your portfolio and the number of study spaces available. Partnership between Home and Guest University does not guarantee admission. If there is a great deal of demand for a single course or workshop, the ESCRBCC will proceed to make a selection and those not admitted to said course or workshop will be offered related alternatives.
You will receive an answer by e-mail.

THE HOUSING OPTIONS
The ESCRBCC has no accommodations available for students, but we can try to help you in your search.
Housing exchange with other Erasmus students
You can also contact the Barcelona Student Housing Service or the Barcelona Centre Universitari (BCU) to manage the housing for your stay in Barcelona. And on the Barcelona Student Housing Service website you can find information about different types of accommodation and how you can secure it.
http://www.bcn-housing-students.com/
http://www.bcu.cesca.es/Allotjarse/Allotjarse.html
http://www.residenciaerasmusgracia.com/

THE STUDENT CARD
You will receive your student ID card when you start studying at the ESCRBCC, when your enrolment has been fully completed.
This card will serve as your official identification for ESCRBCC during your entire study period with us.

VISA
Students from the following countries are not required to apply for student visa or residence cards regardless of the duration of their stay: EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom) or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Students who are citizens of countries not included in the list above must obtain a student visa before leaving their country. You can do the paperwork through the Spanish Embassy or Consulate nearest your place of residence.
The sending and receiving institutions will provide assistance, when required, in securing visas for incoming and outbound mobile participants, according to the requirements of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
Information and assistance can be provided by the following contact points and information sources:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/ca/Paginas/inicio.aspx

HEALTH CARE
EU citizens will need the European Health Insurance Card or private insurance coverage. Before leaving for Spain, you must first complete and submit a European Insurance Card application at the Social Security office in your country. Be sure to bring the card on your trip to Spain.
In case you have a private insurance plan, you must follow requirements specified by your particular service provider.
Dental care: Spanish Social Security Service does not cover dental work. However, in case of emergency, you should follow regular procedure and access the medical emergency service or dial 112. There is a list of private dentists in Barcelona business directory (www.paginasamarillas.es).
Non-EU citizens will need a private insurance policy in Spain. You may have to submit copies of these documents to the Embassy for your student visa application, as well as to the university.
Please keep your insurance documents, including insurance company contact details, as well as medical identification cards on you at all times in case of health problems.
All medical centers are clearly marked with a red cross on all tourist maps. Check for locations nearest your accommodations.

Where I can get help in Barcelona?
. Emergency numbers for Barcelona:

For all general Barcelona information, you can call 010. From there they will refer you to other numbers if necessary.

Ambulance: 061
Hospitals: 93 454 60 00 / 93 418 34 00
24-hour pharmacies
Here are a few 24-hour pharmacies in the center of Barcelona. You can also call the general info numbers (010) or (098) for more listings.

Catalan Police Force (Mossos d'Esquadra): 088
EU standard emergency number: 112
Fire Department (Bombers): 080, 085
Local Police (Guàrdia Urbana): 092
Spanish National Military Police (Guardia Civil): 062
Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional): 091

Dental emergencies: 93 227 47 47

. Other useful numbers for Barcelona:

RENFE (Spanish National Railway) 93 490 02 02
FGC (Catalan Commuter Rail) 93 205 15 15
Post office 902 19 71 97
Customs 93 301 30 08

. Credit card numbers in Spain:

If you have a credit card mishap and need to make a cancellation, you can call these toll-free numbers:

American Express: 900 994426
MasterCard: 300 371231
Visa: 900 991124

RIGHTS AND DUTIES AS A STUDENT
As an Erasmus student, you are entitled to and should expect:
•   Your home and host universities to have an inter-institutional agreement.
•    The sending and receiving institutions to sign a Learning/Training Agreement with you before you leave, setting out the details of your planned activities abroad, including the credits to be achieved.
•    Not to have to pay fees to your host university for tuition, registration, examinations or access to laboratory and library facilities during your Erasmus studies.
•    Full academic recognition from your home university for satisfactorily completed activities during the Erasmus mobility period, in accordance with the Learning/Training Agreement.
•    To be given a transcript of records at the end of your activities abroad, covering the studies/work carried out and signed by your host institution/enterprise. It will show a record of your results with the credits and grades achieved. If the placement was not part of the normal curricula, the period will at least be recorded in the Diploma Supplement.
•    To be treated and served by your host university in the same way as said university’s home students.
•    To have access to the Erasmus University Charter and Erasmus Policy Statement of your home and host universities.
•    Your student grant or loan from your home country to be maintained while you are abroad.

As an Erasmus student, you are expected to:

•    Respect the rules and obligations of your Erasmus grant agreement with your home university or your National Agency.
•    Ensure that any changes to the Learning/Training Agreement are agreed in writing with both the home and host institutions as soon as they occur.
•    Spend the full study/placement period as agreed at the host university/enterprise, including undergoing the relevant examinations or other forms of assessment, and respect its rules and regulations.
•    Write a report on your Erasmus study/placement period abroad when you return and provide feedback if requested by your home university, the European Commission or the National Agency.

If you have a problem:
•    Identify the problem clearly and check your rights and obligations. Contact your departmental Erasmus coordinator and use the formal appeals procedure of your home university if necessary.

CONTACT INFORMATION

ESCRBCC
Escola Superior de Conservació i Restauració de Béns Culturals de Catalunya
c/  Aiguablava, 109-113
08033 Barcelona
Phone: +34-93-3546992 – Fax: +34-93-2762827
e-mail:  escrbcc@xtec.cat
www.xtec.cat/escrbcc

Secretariat opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 9h00 till 14h00

Metro:
Line 3, metro station Trinitat Nova         
Line 4, metro station Trinitat Nova
Line 11, metro station Casa de l’Aigua
Buses:
Lines 50, 51, 76, 127

International Erasmus Coordinator
Lídia Balust Claverol
Phone: +34-93-3546992

e-mail:  lbalust@xtec.cat